Fetzer achieves top environmental mark

California’s Fetzer Vineyards has become the largest winery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification, an organisation that rewards companies for “using their business as a force for good”.

Charlie Gilmore, winemaker

Only companies that meet B Corps’ standards for social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability are awarded the accolade, which recognises those using their business to help solve social and environmental problems. There are now more than 1,400 Certified B Corporations in over 120 industries and 40 countries.

Fetzer Vineyards also announced it is setting a goal to become a Net Positive company by 2030, committing reducing its corporate footprint by putting more back into the natural environment and communities in which they work than they are taking out.

“We have a long history steeped in sustainability and strive to be a model for how a commitment to sustainability can restore the natural environment, enhance the well-being of employees and community members, and contribute to sustainable business growth”, said Giancarlo Bianchetti, CEO of Fetzer Vineyards. “The B Corp Community inspires us to be the best in the world, and also to be the best for the world.”

To achieve its goal of becoming Net Positive by 2030, Fetzer has devised a “regenerative strategy” to help “restore, revitalize, and regenerate ecosystems and communities”, while producing wines.

This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions to become a carbon neutral company by 2016, reducing energy use by 20%, water use by 15% and attain 100% certification of sustainable grape suppliers by 2020.